Tonights 8.30pm Paddington to Maidenhead and platform 13 (again!)

[whole diary]

[grahame]

I would suggest that we stop moaning about the use of Platform 13 because I think somebody who actually controls the allocation is reading the forum and is now just intentionally pushing us to the furthest point possible!

Forums such as this are occasionally read by people in all sorts of places so it is always possible that a question asking "why does x do y" will be read by x.    Put the question well and explained and positively, and you can even see something happen for the good .... but beware of the opposite effect too.

When I use Paddington, it's not usually for the local service so I have no personal involvement on this particular issue.   If I had, I'm sure that I would be asking elsewhere as well as here the reasons behind things being done as they are - perhaps to FGW^▸ (First Great Western), perhaps to Network Rail, and taking it forward that way too.  Perhaps there is an excellent operational reason which, once explained, will be accepted and relayed on to newcomers in the future. Perhaps there is a silent (here) group of people who prefer 13 / 14 and the trains are "out there" at times to keep them happy.  In which case tell us.   Or perhaps it's simply for historic reasons that could be reviewed, or because no-one's given it much thought.   In which case it can be taken forward.

[gpn01]

Well said!

[BBM]

I agree, well said! Surely there's a logical reason which someone "in the know" can explain? At the moment I simply feel that no-one in NR^» (Network Rail - home page) or FGW^▸ (First Great Western) is particularly bothered about the best use of platforms at PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) at off-peak times!

[Ptolemy]

Back on the subject of platform allocations - but not Paddingston so slightly off topic sorry to say - I was reminded reading this of the time several years ago now when I was on a business trip to the midlands with a disabled colleague of mine. We arrived at Birmingham New Street with about 20 minutes to spare for our connection, and finding ourselves near to the information point we asked if they could tell us which platform our required train would be coming in on, so as to allow ourselves plenty of time to get there. The guy there couldn't have been more helpful. "Number 3's quite close to where we are now so you should be able to get there easily enough - I'll try to arrange for it to come in there" - and sure enough it did!

Compare that to Kings' Cross a couple of weeks ago when I was meeting a friend off a train from Cambridge. With a minute to go and the train showing as being on time, but no platform number shown, I politely asked the staff-member manning the information point which one it was likely to arrive on only to be greeted with a shrug, and a "I dunno mate - could be any of them". Needless to say the train had already arrived before the overhead display changed, and I was nowhere NEAR the platform in question, unable to meet my friend off the train as promised.

Sorry to sound like a grumpy old man singing to the tune of "fings ain't what they used t'be" (as far as I know NOT a Fleetwood Mac song...) but in all honesty, customer service HAS taken a nosedive, I think. Then again the public has become less respectful across the board as well, so it's not something which is easily solved.

[Mookiemoo]

Back on the subject of platform allocations - but not Paddingston so slightly off topic sorry to say - I was reminded reading this of the time several years ago now when I was on a business trip to the midlands with a disabled colleague of mine. We arrived at Birmingham New Street with about 20 minutes to spare for our connection, and finding ourselves near to the information point we asked if they could tell us which platform our required train would be coming in on, so as to allow ourselves plenty of time to get there. The guy there couldn't have been more helpful. "Number 3's quite close to where we are now so you should be able to get there easily enough - I'll try to arrange for it to come in there" - and sure enough it did!

Compare that to Kings' Cross a couple of weeks ago when I was meeting a friend off a train from Cambridge. With a minute to go and the train showing as being on time, but no platform number shown, I politely asked the staff-member manning the information point which one it was likely to arrive on only to be greeted with a shrug, and a "I dunno mate - could be any of them". Needless to say the train had already arrived before the overhead display changed, and I was nowhere NEAR the platform in question, unable to meet my friend off the train as promised.

Sorry to sound like a grumpy old man singing to the tune of "fings ain't what they used t'be" (as far as I know NOT a Fleetwood Mac song...) but in all honesty, customer service HAS taken a nosedive, I think. Then again the public has become less respectful across the board as well, so it's not something which is easily solved.

What annoys me is when they blatently lie to you.

I *know* the information point at PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) and the platform staff have the list of trains and ***planned*** patforms - I also know this is subject to change.

Now it depends on who you get. But you walk up to the window and ask "Can you please tell me which platform XYZ is EXPECTED to go from - I realise this is subject to change and not guaranteed".

They they say "we do not have this information wait on the platform."

Yes I bloody well do as I can see it on the paper in front of them!

Generally mine goes from 3 (1721) 0r 9 (1821) but if I get there for a different train, I kind of like to know so I can get the bike onto the platform and folded ready for boarding - and if the platform changes, so be it

Why can they not just say "sorry we're not allowed to tell you" which is probably closer to the truth

[Jim]

in which case.. if they insist on using platforms 13 and 14 a disproprtionate amount of time.. I think it should be timetabled that anyone having entered platform 12 with (as an example) one minute to spare, should be allowed to get on the train and it should wait for them (I know people already on the train won't like this before someone says that!!).. I always feel sorry if I run past someone a lot older, or maybe someone who is unable to hurry for other reasons. They must just miss the train? And then have to walk all the way back again...

Why should that happen  - just arrive a minute earlier. Lots of stations have platforms like this:
Salisbury (6)
Exeter (2)
Bristol TM^‡(resolve) (1)
Birmingham New ST (4C)

and many more, everyone seems to manage there!

Yes, but they're much nearer to the main access point to other platforms, nor do they have such an obstacle course to reach them! To get from The Lawn at Paddington to 13 & 14 you either go along platform 9, up the steps to the footbridge, through the ticket barrier and down more steps - or you loop back round the ends of platforms 11 & 12, then walk the entire length of 12 to a narrow passageway (which can get very congested) through to 13 & 14. Try those routes sometime with heavy luggage!

However my main issue is not the situation of 13 & 14, it's that there are workings scheduled to go into those two platforms during off-peak times when there is vacant space in 9, 10, 11 or 12 (and sometimes in all four!). For goodness sake why? Can someone from Network Rail please give me an answer other than "it's in the station working books, so there!" or "to the panel, a platforms a platform!" I'm sorry, but those are not satisfactory answers. Someone at Network Rail must have a logical reason why it happens!

I am aware how to get there, you don't need to treat me as though I am not a sharp tool in the box!

[Ollie]

The issue with telling people the platform number when it hasn't been confirmed is that if it changes other passengers will blame the staff who said "Platform 9" or whatever.

This has happened many times, despite how many times you try to explain, it is due to go from that platform, but not guaranteed.

Easier to say to wait, too much hassle if it doesn't.

And It's bad to say, but the majority will just listen to Platform number and pretty much ignore everything else you say.

[dog box]

everything besides Turbos are banned from 13/14, so prehaps thats why most turbos are put there

[smokey]

To the panel, a platforms a platform! As long as the whole train can fit in it.

Like train crew, trains also work to a diagram, it has been pre-selected into which platforms trains run, of course late alterations occur. Let say the 08.00 from platform 1 is late leaving you can't put the 08.10 arrival in on top, that would just block the 08.00 in.

Whilst Platform 13 and 14 at Paddington are a Pain being so much shorter, if a unit is Diagrammed to use platform 13 then the platforms departure screens will auto display that platform, it only causes confusion to alter platforms around, and whilst it should be that the short platforms at Paddington should be used as last resort, better to stick to prebooked platforms than have passengers sent to the normal platform to find No train as it has been sent to another platform by the signaller.

[Ollie]

Between 20:00 and 20:30

Platform 1: 19:59 arrival from Great Malvern, leaves as 20:20 Great Malvern
Platform 2: 19:39 arrival from Bristol TM^‡(resolve), leaves as 20:15 Swansea
Platform 3: No train due to be on this platform
Platform 4: 20:14 arrival from Weston SM, leaves as 20:45 Bristol TM
Platform 5: No train due to be on this platform
Platform 6: 20:04 arrival from Heathrow T4, leaves as 20:25 Heathrow T4
Platform 7: 20:18 arrival from Heathrow T4, leaves as 20:40 Heathrow T4
Platform 8: 20:28 arrival from Banbury, leaves as 20:51 Oxford
Platform 9: 20:02 arrival from Cardiff, leaves as 20:35 Plymouth
Platform 10: 19:52 arrival from Newbury, leaves 21:15 Reading
Platform 11: 19:59 arrival from Oxford, leaves 20:15 Reading
                 20:29 arrival from Oxford, leaves 20:45 Reading
Platform 12: 20:24 arrival from Heathrow T123, leaves as 20:33 Heathrow T123
Platform 13: 19:41 arrival from Reading, leaves as 20:00 Oxford
                 20:11 arrival from Reading, leaves as 20:30 Oxford
Platform 14: 20:17 arrival from Greenford, leaves as 20:25 Greenford

Platform 3 and 5 were free but putting a local stopper would be a last resort as it would delay other services trying to get over to the relief line from the main line.

Edit: This is based on the ammended station working for Tuesday 8th Jan =] and should not be taken as accurate as alterations can and do occur.

[BBM]

Ollie,

Thanks for that - but can you please give an example from an off-peak period, say 10:00 on a Saturday morning? I'd be interested to see which platforms are free and which are occupied then!

[Shazz]

IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) saturday is EXACTLY the same timetable as the rest of the week...

[Ollie]

I'm not working this saturday, however I'm going through Paddington so I will see about getting a copy of the ammended workings to give an example for Saturday.

[Chris from Nailsea]

I am aware how to get there, you don't need to treat me as though I am not a sharp tool in the box!

Jim, I don't think BBM was suggesting that: actually, I found their description of the route, provided for the benefit of those (like me) who aren't familiar with it, very useful in understanding this apparently thorny issue!

Why should that happen  - just arrive a minute earlier. Lots of stations have platforms like this:
Salisbury (6)
Exeter (2)
Bristol TM^‡(resolve) (1)
Birmingham New ST (4C)
and many more, everyone seems to manage there!

I was also interested in your reference to Bristol Temple Meads, platform 1: that's much easier to get to than platform 15, so when I arrive at 1749 and see my 1753 train is due from platform 15, I know I'm going to struggle!  For the benefit of those unfamiliar with the layout at Bristol Temple Meads, Platform 1 is just left and left again through the entrance: platform 15 is at the very far side of the station, involving negotiating the rugby scrum down into the subway, the mad dash against the flow of all the departing passengers and the final scramble up the steps to 15!

To be fair, as Jim says, I can manage it - if I can arrive that critical minute earlier: if I can't, I accept that's my problem! 

[devon_metro]

I am aware how to get there, you don't need to treat me as though I am not a sharp tool in the box!

Jim, I don't think BBM was suggesting that: actually, I found their description of the route, provided for the benefit of those (like me) who aren't familiar with it, very useful in understanding this apparently thorny issue!

Why should that happen  - just arrive a minute earlier. Lots of stations have platforms like this:
Salisbury (6)
Exeter (2)
Bristol TM^‡(resolve) (1)
Birmingham New ST (4C)
and many more, everyone seems to manage there!

I was also interested in your reference to Bristol Temple Meads, platform 1: that's much easier to get to than platform 15, so when I arrive at 1749 and see my 1753 train is due from platform 15, I know I'm going to struggle!  For the benefit of those unfamiliar with the layout at Bristol Temple Meads, Platform 1 is just left and left again through the entrance: platform 15 is at the very far side of the station, involving negotiating the rugby scrum down into the subway, the mad dash against the flow of all the departing passengers and the final scramble up the steps to 15!

To be fair, as Jim says, I can manage it - if I can arrive that critical minute earlier: if I can't, I accept that's my problem! 

I myself have been known to leg it across Bristol Temple Meads after coming in on a late unit. Bear in mind my connection wasn't actually valid I still managed to make it onto the Vomit.